Costa Rica info

GENERAL INFORMATIONCosta Rica is a small country located in Central America with an area of ​​51,100 km2 just larger than El Salvador and Belize, but many points of view, is an excellent destination for visitors. He has a great diversity of plant and animal species characteristic of the tropics that match the geographical location of countries according to geographic coordinates is between 8 ° 02 '26 "and 11 ° 13 '12" north of the equator and 82 ° 33 '48 "west of Greenwich.

Costa Rica for its position meant a bridge ítsmica biological and cultural meeting allow forest species and animals and cultures of North and South America. In education nationally geological land forms part of American youth. This means that until the early Tertiary, Costa Rica and Panama have been occupied by a ship canal that connected the great Caribbean abreast of the Pacific, which constituted all but a way of islands before the mainland.

It was argued that the current of Nicoya and Osa peninsulas are remnants of these islands firstborn. Since the mid-Tertiary, powerful tectonic and volcanic allowed the complete lifting of countries and the rise, along an area known as the fracture of Nicaragua Depression, the current ranges of volcanic mountains of Central and Guanacaste. However, he was in the Quaternary when finished consolidating the territory of Costa Rica and prepare land for the location of the Aboriginal installed in our territory. has a great diversity of flora and fauna of the highest in the world. His position allowed it's migration of species between the continental masses of North America South.Thus, the new marine area began a process of diversification between species in both seas. Due to its geographical position, the country is exposed to most of the year winds to the northwest from the Caribbean and come loaded with moisture. This makes coastal regions, most of plains and hills north winds are receiving heavy rain.

PLACEOur country enjoys a special location on the map, it is at the heart of Central America. Bordered to the east and northeast by the Caribbean Sea to the west and south by the Pacific Ocean to the southeast by Panama and Nicaragua to the north.

SURFACEHis area of ​​only 51100 km square, a variety of rivers, plains, mountains, valleys, flora, fauna, volcanoes, beaches, protected areas, game reserves and many more attractions for tourists, with a variety of climates .

Estimated Population and LANGUAGECosta Rica has a population of 4.5 million people whose mother tongue is Spanish. However, other languages ​​such as English, French, German and Italian, are often used and understood foreign visitor can be comfortable in these languages. The population is divided into seven provinces: San José, Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago, Guanacaste, Puntarenas and Limón. The capital is located in the province of San José, which is the most populous of all.

RELIGIONCatholicism is the official religion but freedom of religion is guaranteed.

ChurchesAlmost all Costa Ricans practice the Christian faith in the Catholic Church. Thus, in a considerable number of houses of worship, Catholics are known for their number and the effort to get communities to build and maintain their best. Therefore, the country has several that are worth noting. The temples are usually located in what was the colonial Plaza Mayor and its gateway to the west. We will highlight the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Jose, the church of San Isidro de Coronado in the Gothic style, located a few kilometers from San Jose, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels (Cartago Province) dedicated National Patron. Keep a few temples built during the colonial period as: Orosi, Quircot, Nicoya and Heredia. The first significant religious museum is installed, which is in the custody of the religious order. All this and more are part of our great national heritage.

Mountain systemThe mountain range of Costa Rica is an independent group of all the mountains of Central America. Biodiversity of their forests, represents an attractive potential for ecotourism are looking bird watching in their natural environment and contact with other species, flora and fauna. Costa Rica mountain range is divided into two distinct units, separated in the center of the country by the Central Valley (where the cities of San Jose, Alajuela and Heredia) and Guarco Valley, located in the province of Cartago.This system identifies different mountain ranges and a mountain range. The Guanacaste volcanic range that highlights the volcanoes Orosi, Miravalles, Tenorio, Arenal, which offers an impressive sight with its nightly eruptions, and the old corner, which has an activity of fumaroles and bubbling mud skirts permanently. In addition, you can get to Lake Arenal, with an approximate area ("water mirror") of 85 square kilometers and is the ideal place for water sports such as "windsurfing", water skiing, and fishing boat race.Sierra Tilarán Abangares includes volcanic hills, Lawyer and Cedral. In the central volcanic chain are the Poas and Irazu, Barva and which are easily accessible and represent a precious heritage and natural environment. In Talamanca Range highlights the Cerro Chirripo, the highest peak of 3821 m this country, because of their topography, soil and climate, vegetation type has a moor.

River systemThe rivers are of great interest for tourists, not only for its beauty, but the options for adventure, sport and recreation they provide. On the Caribbean slope rivers are Reventazón Parismina, with an area of ​​145 km, and the Pacuare, 108 km. Both have ideal characteristics for the practice of surf fishing and rafting. In northern Colorado are subservient rivers, 96 km long, and the Sarapiqui own for walks and sporting activities. In the Pacific Coast is located, including the Tempisque River, over 136 km, mainly in its mouth, are nesting sites for a variety of both migratory and resident birds. Without olvidadr Corobicí river, where conditions are ideal for rafting.

Bird watchingThank you to the location in which Costa Rica is located between two large masses of North and South America, washed by two great oceans, Caribbean and Pacific, has a great diversity of flora and fauna.

Costa Rica has a wide variety of habitats and the greatest diversity of birds in an area the size of Nova Scotia or Ireland, our country has about 850 species of birds of which 600 are resident and the rest are migratory birds during the winter which generally move in South America. Have you planned a trip for bird watching? Dare to do it and can see the beautiful birds in different regions of our country.

Orchid GardenCosta Rica is world famous for the huge variety of orchids found in the jungles and forests. Many of these species are displayed in a botanical garden, located near the town of Cartago, where tourists can admire in a limited area of ​​great scientific interest for the variety of microclimates that is, they can also be observed in our various national parks and reserves. Visiting the Garden and national parks are made by small trails and an experienced guide, explains the details of these beautiful flowers, both wild and hybrid retained therein, as well as other species of tropical flora .

WATER SPORTSFor water sports enthusiasts, Costa Rica is a paradise. Its coasts, lakes, watersheds and channels of communication, making the country a special place where you can practice: fishing (sea, lake and river), water sports (there are over 800 km from highly classified rivers waterways in the world and can be enjoyed by both paddlers who demand a high adventure challenge or those who wish to experience their first emotions), "surf" (Playa Pavones is internationally known for having longer waves in the world), diving (given the diversity and richness of coral and variety of flora and fauna of the coast), the "surfing" (which is practiced primarily in the Lake Arenal), kayaking and water skiing.Local Activities List

Executive: President, directly elected every four years, can be re-elected after eight years. Two vice presidents. A presidential cabinet includes 18 ministers of state, who take portfolios in economic production, social and cultural.

Legislative branch: integrated by 57 members (elected officials making laws).

Judiciary: Supreme Court is formed, composed of four parts. In addition, consists of the High Courts in each subject.

Accordance with the Political Constitution of Costa Rica, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, whatever the powers of the Republic, is responsible for organizing, directing and supervising the elections are held every four years.

The electrical energy110 volts. Electrification of the country.

WaterPure and clean around the country.

TelephonyOne of the most efficient in Latin America. There are direct international call from anywhere in the country. It has a network of public telephones throughout and there is not one of them, there is a telephone administered.

RoadsThe country has a network of paved roads that go around the country and communicate with all of Central America, in addition, there is another secondary road network.

Public TransportWith plenty of taxis marked with the red across the country, including taxis driving rural-wheels in remote locations. Taxi service in Orange Juan Santamaria International Airport. The bus service within and between provinces, as well as international service lines. In the Gulf of Nicoya is the ferry service, both fluvial (Tempisque Ferry) and sea (Salter).

BankingYou can use all local and international financial services through the domestic banking system or private. The hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (continuous time). It also offers an evening service 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The official currency is the "colon" and the exchange rate against the U.S. dollar fluctuates. You can exchange dollars at any bank in the domestic banking system. International credit cards are accepted in most establishments throughout the country.

Business hoursVary with the type of society and the institution. Most government offices are open 8:00 to 4:00 pm private company, from 8.00 to 17.00 Businesses and commercial enterprises are open 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 pm most others are subjected to hours of 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Also in the metropolitan area there supermarkets that are open 24 hours.

Media

TVIt has channels that broadcast in Spanish and English, and the cable system in both languages. Some hotels have satellite signal.

RadioA large amount of AM radio stations operate both as FM, the whole country.

JournalsDaily newspapers are published five years ago and several weeklies in Spanish as well as weekly and monthly publications in English. Besides the magazines are published with varied and useful information.

CRAFT AND COMMERCIALExpertise is evident in a wide range of shades and typical features, ranging from a replica of pre-Columbian objects, or the traditional Costa Rican cart, with modern designs and elegant. They are wooden sculptures and terracotta, pottery, leather goods, jewelry and baskets. You can buy craft both in central San Jose, and Moravia, Sarchi (Alajuela) and Guaitil (Guanacaste).

CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENTCosta Rica is a country that has always been renowned for its culture, showing a wide range of possibilities, especially in the capital.

City of San JoseThe country's capital, San Jose, located in the Central Valley Intermontane is at the heart of the metropolitan area called, which is an extension of 170 square kilometers and a population of about 1,000,000 inhabitants, including the floating population. Offers, like many other parts of the republic, historical sites which speak of the gradual path, peaceful and democratic decision by the people of Costa Rica and showing the national will to reach higher levels, from the best the world in all ages.

MuseumsMuseums are an example of cultural, architectural, archaeological, artistic and scientific, whose function is to protect, recover, restore and transmit the teachings of our ancestors and present. These lessons and demonstrations are represented in our museums, libraries, sculptures, churches, markets, crafts or any expression of creativity made by us.Museums can be grouped into eight categories: Contemporary Art, religion, anthropology, natural history, criminology, entomology, history and science and technology. Of each are: Costa Rican Art Museum, Museum of Religious Art, Jade Museum, Natural History Museum, the Museum of Criminology, Entomological Museum, Museum of Science and Technology Museum, Juan Santamaria, and the National Museum, more important given the variety and richness of their heritage.

Rooms TheaterA number of theater groups, with support from the University of Costa Rica and the National University, were to give the public works born from the desire of Costa Rica. Agencies: Conservatorio Castella, the National Dance Company and National Theatre School, has been providing extraordinary satisfaction.

Tico bullfightingIn Guanacaste and now in many other urban centers are bullfighting in politics, in which bulls are played in a very popular. In Costa Rica, especially in the part of folklore resulted in Guanacaste. They have other colors, and like the famous bullfights are heroes in the art of bullfighting and riding animals, with the peculiarity that there is no cape, flags, tail, or killing of the bull, but a cloth hat and a cleaning rod, the typical characteristics of our toreador. In the race to be a dressage horse and won in the hair using a yoke or rope which is often with one hand and the outstanding feature, colorful headscarves and UYUJUYYY famous cry! COASTAL TORO!. Could withdraw and enjoy the beautiful bullfighting in politics!